0859 Characterizing Comorbid Chronic Pain in Veterans with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract Introduction Evidence suggests that chronic noncancer pain (CP) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are highly prevalent in the adult civilian population. As military veterans are disproportionally affected by both CP and OSA, greater understanding of the frequency and characteristics of CP that most commonly affect veterans with OSA is needed. Thus, this study characterized CP among veterans with OSA in terms of frequency, location, duration, severity, interference on daily activities, and etiology (neuropathic versus not). Methods A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional survey of veterans with newly diagnosed, untreated OSA and reporting pre-existing CP (N=107). Descriptive statistics characterized the sample and comorbid CP outcomes. Results In total, 69.5% (107/154) of participants with OSA who consented for the study had CP. Among participants with CP completing the survey (66.4% [71/107]), CP symptoms persisted for 15 years (IQR = 10-26.5). On average, Brief Pain Inventory – Short Form scores (0-10 scale) indicate moderate pain severity (5.2 ± 2.0) and interference on daily activities (5.7 ± 2.3). Greater pain interference was with sleep (6.3 ± 3.1) and enjoyment of life (6.0 ± 2.5). Pain affected multiple body regions and symptoms of predominantly neuropathic origin (defined as Self-completed Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs scores ≥ 12) were reported by 49.3% of the sample. Conclusion CP is commonly comorbid with OSA. Primary care, pain management, and sleep medicine providers should prioritize CP screening, OSA screening, and management among patients with OSA. Future investigations of CP and OSA should focus on their association and how the effective treatment of one affects the severity of the other. Support (if any) SRSF Small Research Grant Award: 05-SRG-20. University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Office of Nursing Research.